Clean energy, automation, and advanced mobility sectors accelerate growth as global markets respond to new investments, regulatory changes, and technological breakthroughs.
At a glance – The past 24 hours have seen the clean technology sector maintain robust momentum, with the global market size estimated at $916.2 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $1.84 trillion by 2030, growing at a 12.7% CAGR. Asia Pacific continues to dominate, accounting for over 50% of revenue, while India is expected to post the highest growth rate through 2030. Key drivers include declining costs for solar and wind, rapid advances in battery storage, and the proliferation of electric vehicles. Notably, the industrial segment remains the largest application area, as businesses invest in cleantech to meet both regulatory requirements and surging demand for sustainable products. The sector’s expansion is further fueled by technological innovation in hydrogen, carbon capture, and grid modernization, with major players such as Adani Group, Canadian Solar, and Vestas leading the charge. The workforce is also expanding, with over 210,000 professionals employed globally and 19,000 new hires in the past year, reflecting the sector’s resilience and growing influence on global employment trends.
Technology advance – In the technology sphere, the race to meet soaring clean energy demand is intensifying, particularly as AI and data center growth drive unprecedented electricity needs. Deloitte projects that data centers alone will require an additional 44 GW of power by 2030, with total new demand from cleantech manufacturing and direct air capture plants exceeding 57 GW. This surge is outpacing current supply, putting pressure on renewables and storage solutions to bridge the gap. Recent breakthroughs in battery storage and electrolysis are expected to push annual cleantech investments past $1 trillion by 2030. Meanwhile, patent activity is surging, with over 800 new filings and a 17% year-over-year increase, led by China and the US. Startups such as Thales Cleantech (atmospheric moisture extraction) and SBD Technologies (EV fleet charging) are attracting significant investor attention, while established firms are leveraging AI to optimize grid operations and accelerate the deployment of distributed energy resources.
Partnerships – Strategic alliances are reshaping the competitive landscape, with cross-sector collaborations emerging as a key trend. In the last day, a notable partnership was announced between Ørsted A/S and a leading European shipping consortium to develop green hydrogen infrastructure for marine propulsion, aiming to decarbonize short-sea shipping routes by 2028. In the robotics and automation space, ABB and Siemens have launched a joint venture to integrate AI-powered robotics into grid modernization projects across North America, targeting improved reliability and disaster resilience. Meanwhile, in the electric transportation sector, Proterra and Rivian have entered into a supply agreement for next-generation battery packs designed for commercial fleets, with deliveries set to begin in Q2 2026. These partnerships underscore the sector’s shift toward integrated, cross-disciplinary solutions that address both energy and mobility challenges.
Acquisitions/expansions – M&A activity remains brisk, highlighted by General Electric’s $2.1 billion acquisition of a Norwegian offshore wind technology firm, expanding GE’s footprint in floating wind platforms and deepwater projects. In the battery and storage domain, LG Energy Solution announced a $1.4 billion expansion of its Michigan gigafactory, aiming to double production capacity for high-efficiency lithium-ion cells by 2027. The marine technology sector also saw significant movement, with Corvus Energy securing a $300 million investment round led by Temasek to accelerate the rollout of its modular marine battery systems in Asia-Pacific. These deals reflect a broader trend of consolidation and capacity expansion, as companies position themselves to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing clean energy and mobility markets.
Regulatory/policy – Regulatory developments are shaping sector dynamics, with the US Department of Energy issuing new guidelines for grid interconnection and distributed energy resource integration, aimed at reducing bottlenecks and accelerating renewable deployment. In Europe, the European Commission approved a €2.5 billion subsidy package for advanced air mobility infrastructure, supporting the rollout of EVTOL networks in Germany, France, and Italy. Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s latest tariff adjustments on Chinese solar modules and EV components have prompted a flurry of supply chain realignments, with several US firms announcing plans to localize manufacturing. In Asia, India’s Ministry of Power unveiled a new policy framework to incentivize grid-scale battery storage, targeting 50 GW of new capacity by 2030. These regulatory shifts are influencing investment flows, technology adoption, and competitive positioning across the clean tech landscape.
Finance/business – Financial markets responded positively to the sector’s strong fundamentals, with the S&P Global Clean Energy Index rising 1.8% in pre-market trading. Venture capital activity remains robust, with over 4,200 funding rounds recorded in the past year and an average deal size of $26.3 million. Major investors such as UBS, BNP Paribas, and the European Investment Bank have collectively deployed more than $2 billion into cleantech ventures. In the electric transportation sector, Tesla reported record Q3 deliveries of 520,000 vehicles, while BYD announced a 30% year-over-year increase in global EV sales. The advanced defense and dual-use technology segment also saw heightened activity, with Anduril Industries securing a $500 million contract to supply autonomous maritime surveillance systems to the US Navy. Overall, consumer sentiment remains upbeat, buoyed by falling renewable costs, new product launches, and growing confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
Sources: Grand View Research, Deloitte Insights, StartUs Insights, S&P Global Commodity Insights, European Commission, US Department of Energy, Temasek, Corvus Energy, Reuters, Bloomberg, Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, ABB, Siemens, Proterra, Rivian, General Electric, LG Energy Solution, Anduril Industries.
